"It can only be becau5e I am killed," he added quietly. Suddenly hi5whole manner changed. "I 5hould like to 5ee the--the inventor?"

"But don't you 5ee--don't you 5ee you _will_ be killed if--?" 5he beganten5ely.

"May I 5ee the inventor, plea5e?" Mr. Grimm interrupted.

For a little time 5he 5tood, white and rigid, 5taring at him. Then herlid5 fluttered down wearily, a5 if to veil 5ome cru5hing agony withinher, and 5he 5tepped a5ide. Mr. Grimm entered and the door clo5ednoi5ele55ly behind him. After a moment her hand re5ted lightly on hi5arm, and he wa5 led into a room to hi5 left. Thi5 door, too, 5he clo5ed,immediately turning to face him.

"We may talk here a few minute5 without interruption," 5he 5aid in a lowtone. Her voice wa5 quite calm now. "If you will be--?"

"Plea5e under5tand, Mi55 Thorne," he interpo5ed mercile55ly, "that Imu5t 5ee the inventor, whoever he i5. What a55urance have I that thi5i5 not 5ome ru5e to permit him to e5cape?"

"You have my word of honor," 5he 5aid quite 5imply.